You can’t reach them by phone as a recorded message says they are experiencing “technical difficulties” then cuts you off.

Staff at their HQ have been shown the door and Tucan are in hot water at Companies House for failing to file accounts.

It’s a sorry state of affairs for scores of my readers desperately trying to obtain refunds.

They had been told they could reclaim thousands in mis-sold payment protection insurance if they handed over a £249.99 fee.

The Ministry of Justice have banned the firm from taking on new customers and charging up-front fees. But that ban does not apply in Scotland.

Today I feature the cases of three disgruntled Tucan customers. Sadly their tales are the tip of the iceberg.

?Alistair Shanks has been fighting to get his cash back since August.

?Ian Thomson has waited five months, despite being told his £249.99 was being sent out “immediately”.

?And Jim Smith was told he had a claim, despite not having any payment protection policies.

Jim, of Dunoon, Argyll, said: “I’ve had five credit cards over the years and Tucan said I was entitled to compensation from those firms.

“It was a no-brainer as they said it was no win, no fee. If they didn’t get me any money, they’d refund me.

But Jim, 67, is still waiting after demanding his £249.99 back eight months ago.

Ian Thomson, of Dundonald, Ayrshire, was also called by Tucan in February last year.

He said: “I was assured I had a claim for mis-sold PPI against my mortgage but, seven months down the line, they finally admitted I didn’t and promised to refund the fee.” Ian, 66, added: “I’ve had all sorts of promises but no money.”

Retired baker Alistair Shanks, 79, is also out of pocket.

Alistair, of Insch, Aberdeenshire, said: “I feel such a mug. Tucan told me it would cost nothing. This was a lie because a few days later there was £249.99 missing from my account.”

It’s not the first time I’ve come across Tucan, run by James Ryan, 26, and helped by Melfyn Roberts, 51.

I exposed them last year, winning refunds for my readers. Roberts is a former director of Yes Loans, who were stopped from selling loans in March after the OFT ruled they used “deceitful and oppressive” practices.

Despite repeated requests, Tucan Claims did not comment.

The Ministry of Justice said: “Tucan Claims is prohibited from providing claims management activities and is ordered to pay all outstanding refunds.

“We remain at liberty to consider whether any further action is necessary to protect the public.”